FG retention policy can strengthen health sector if properly implemented – NMA President

President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Professor Bala Audu, speaks with Ajibade Omape�about the likely impact of the Federal Government’s policy to retain medical practitioners and how its proper implementation could improve the state of the country’s health sector

The Federal Government recently approved a policy to retain medical experts within the country. What is the Nigerian Medical Association’s stance on this policy?

At the Nigerian Medical Association, we have reviewed the policy. This newly approved policy has three main strong approaches centred on security, training, and identity.

We believe these are critical factors contributing to the emigration of doctors and other healthcare providers. Therefore, addressing these issues will likely improve the retention of medical professionals.

As I mentioned, implementation is key. The way the policy is executed will determine its success.

For example, the Federal Government has already started implementing the Medical Residency Training Fund, and the implementation is in full swing.

If the training policy strengthens this policy, increases training vacancies, and fills them with the required personnel, then we will see significant improvements.

After training, if these professionals are employed in federal, state, or private sectors, the impact will be evident.

If the policy is implemented correctly, it will help retain those who are still here. If the incentives are as strong as those attracting doctors and healthcare practitioners abroad, many will stay.

I also believe that many who left will consider returning due to the improvements.

Do you believe this policy will be effective in curbing brain drain?

Yes, as I’ve just said if the incentives are strong enough, the doctors and healthcare workers who are remaining will not leave, and it will help stop the brain drain.

Depending on the strength of the incentives, this policy could also encourage doctors who have left the country to return, reversing the brain drain.

Additionally, if managed well, Nigeria could attract doctors and healthcare practitioners from other countries, rather than losing them to other nations.

Do you think the Federal Government can invest in the health sector to meet global standards?

That is our hope, and we are engaging with the Federal Government to push for increased investment in goods, capital, infrastructure, human resources, equipment, workplace environments, security, and remuneration.

These investments can significantly improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria by ensuring that our highly skilled undergraduate and postgraduate doctors and other healthcare providers remain in the country.

What are the key challenges that medical professionals in Nigeria face, leading them to seek opportunities abroad?

One of the primary challenges is the lack of sufficient incentives to stay, with the most significant being the pay package. Compared to the salaries of doctors and medical professionals in other countries, the pay here is not competitive, and the workload is significantly higher despite the lower compensation.

Another major challenge is the workplace environment, which urgently needs improvement, from security arrangements to the availability of adequate equipment and medication. As you know, the cost of medication has risen due to the state of the economy.

These challenges are not limited to the health sector but affect all sectors. Furthermore, security is a big concern. Many doctors have left because they felt the need for better security for themselves and their families, both at work and at home. Addressing these security issues is vital.

Can you suggest measures or steps that the Federal Government can adopt to make the retention policy successful?

The retention policy that the NMA advocates for should not only encourage doctors and medical practitioners to stay but also motivate them to dedicate more of their time, skills, and experience to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to Nigerians.

This can be achieved by ensuring their well-being, which includes their pay package, transport, and accommodation.

For example, doctors in residency training programmes should be accommodated on-site or close to the hospital, as prescribed by regulatory agencies.

The term “residency” implies that doctors should reside within or near the hospital premises, allowing them to dedicate more time to their duties without facing commuting challenges. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case in many instances.

More accommodation spaces need to be created, particularly for young doctors, while senior doctors and other health workers who live farther away should have reliable transport to and from work.

If a doctor is called in the middle of the night for an emergency, they need to be able to get to the hospital quickly.

The issue of training is also crucial. While the Medical Residency Training Fund has been introduced, the right environment for training must be created.

This includes providing the necessary equipment, ensuring regular maintenance, and having a sufficient range of patients to train with.

Training can only be effective when there are enough patients to treat, which means healthcare must be affordable and accessible to Nigerians.

There’s also a need to ensure that those who train the next generation of doctors are well-supported. Many doctors have left the country, leaving fewer professionals to train both undergraduate and postgraduate students, while also conducting clinical work.

They need to be encouraged to dedicate themselves to these multiple responsibilities.

How do you envision this policy impacting the overall healthcare system in Nigeria?

Honestly, I believe it could revolutionise and significantly improve the healthcare system, but only if we get the implementation right.

The policy itself, as written, is good, but the difference will lie in how it’s carried out. If implemented correctly, it could improve the quality of care, the number of patients treated, and the quality and number of trained professionals at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

It could also enhance the retention of specialised care and access to healthcare, encouraging Nigerians who seek treatment abroad to stay and receive care locally.

Many Nigerians who travel abroad for medical treatment often end up being treated by Nigerian doctors who have emigrated. This policy could change that.

Will the policy be enough to improve the quality of healthcare, or are there other critical areas that need attention?

There are other critical areas, such as the need for more specialised training programmes and exchange partnerships between Nigeria and other countries.

Both sides have much to learn from each other, and this exchange could improve what we are doing here.

Additionally, we should establish training programmes that allow the exchange of both trainers and trainees between Nigeria and other countries. This would enrich our healthcare system and enhance the policy’s goals.

That said, I do believe the policy will be enough to improve the quality of healthcare if it is implemented with dedication.

What specific improvements or incentives does the NMA believe are necessary to make staying in Nigeria a viable and attractive option for medical professionals?

The most important thing the Federal Government must do is improve the salaries of medical staff. The take-home pay needs to be significantly higher.

Medical professionals should also have access to comprehensive health insurance, medical indemnity, housing loans or allocated housing, and car loans or allocated cars.

These measures would go a long way in improving retention and encouraging the dedication of medical experts within the country.